ClearysNoteBook: Yo Bill! Have you heard This One?
One of the points discussed this month by the Gloucester City Board of Education meeting is the
practice of sending students from the Highland Park "Program for
Success School", (Alternative School) on bus trips to various outings which are labeled as Physical Education Trips.
Why can't these 40 plus students take physical education at one of the district's four gymnasiums like other students enrolled in our public school system?
Just recently we learned the Gloucester City School District is facing an unexpected $1.3 million budget deficit. Now we find out that instead of the School Board/ School Administrators' trying to find ways to cutback spending they are looking for ways to increase the deficit.
Some of the trips taken so far this year by the Highland Park students and staff was a Physical Education Trip on October 26 to the Holly Dell Complex in Sewell for "Whirley Ball". Definition of Whirley Ball, a good team building activity that is like lacrosse in bumper cars. Students work together in groups of five to try to throw a ball into a goal.
And on November 16, students and staff traveled by bus to the Funplex in Mt. Laurel.
This month a bus trip to Blue Mountain, Palmenton, PA for skiing . In January the students will go back to Blue Mountain for Snow Tubing.
I don't think it is unreasonable to ask the School Board members and the Administration for some restraint in spending our tax dollars at a time when we are facing a budget deficit, possible cutbacks in staff and programs because of the state's financial problems. I also believe these students shouldn't be receiving special treatment just because they attend the district's Alternative School.
As stated the district has four gymnasiums that could be used for physical education. One just cost $20 million to build. Let the students walk from the Highland Park School to the High School and back. They will get much more exercise then they are getting riding around in a bumper car to play Whirley Ball.
As for those who might say that is too far for the kids walk. Ask anyone who attended the Mary Ethel Costello School when it was the high school where they had gym classes, weather permitting. They walked in their gym uniform at a fast pace from Cumberland Street to the Charles Street stadium on a weekly basis.
How many teachers and aides are employed to operate this type of school? Who on the school board voted in favor of opening this school? Why has it taken so long for the public to find out about it? When did it open? Does every district have this type of school or only us poor people? I like to see Cleary stick his big nose into this mess and get us some answers?
Posted by: Just Curious | December 20, 2007 at 10:42 PM
When are the people of Gloucester going to say enough of this foolishness. This school has a day care, the kids don't go to school until 2:00 because they can't get up and now we offer more perks for not wanting to go to a normal school. Stop this useless spending.
Posted by: GHS GRAD | December 20, 2007 at 10:20 PM
Is this true..for the Highland Park School the operation budget is $3 million annually? Only 47 students attend the school so Mr. Darrow said. Does it really cost that much to teach 47 students?
Originally the Highland Park grammar school building was beyond repair. Which is one of the reasons why the district built the $20 million Cold Springs School. Yet we are told now there are 47 students going to that school.
Is the building safe? And if so why did we build the Cold Spring school?
What is going on, who is telling the truth. None of the school board members say anything except Darrow....why are they (board members) afraid of speaking up?
Posted by: Just Curious | December 20, 2007 at 10:17 PM
I BELIEVE THAT THIS ALTERNATIVE SCHOOL SHOULD NEVER HAVE OPENED IN THE
FIRST PLACE. THESE KIDS TODAY GET TOO MUCH SPECIAL TREATMENT.
GO TO SCHOOL AND LEARN JUST LIKE EVERY OTHER KID DOES.
THESE KIDS NEED TO SUCK IT UP AND MAKE TO SCHOOL EVERY DAY OR THEY WILL SUFFER THE CONSEQUENCES. WHEN I WAS A KID IF I DIDN'T WANT TO GET UP AND GO TO SCHOOL I WOULD BE DRAGGED OUT OF BED AND SENT TO SCHOOL, NO DEBATES OR ANY EXCUSES, YOU WENT TO
SCHOOL PERIOD.
IF WE SHUT DOWN THIS SCHOOL WE COULD SAVE A LOT OF MONEY ALSO. JUST A THOUGHT
Posted by: EDWARD WRIGHT | December 20, 2007 at 09:44 PM
Agreed...let's find out what the hours of this program is supposed to be. I live nearby and am amazed at the hours, starting late in the day and sometimes staying open late and other days closing early. How many students attend? There are so many cars there that you would think it is full of students. Why does this program exist? This school was opened several years ago but no one knew why. Let's get some answers....
Posted by: a neighbor | December 17, 2007 at 05:30 PM
AGREED! i have so many issues with this alternative school and to learn they are going skiing & snow tubing just add's to my list!
Posted by: deann | December 16, 2007 at 02:10 PM
Hello again Bill.
We received word yesterday that the newly hired VP in Gloucester City is none other than the VP from Holbein Middle school in Mt. Holly. Another administrator leaves Mt. Holly for Gloucester City. Your district's new hire didn't make it a year. His reasons for leaving a somewhat valid yet he is leaving on a less than high note. Being in charge of discipline, I would say he hasn't held up his part of the bargain. Discipline has fallen dramatically in the last 4 months. I assume he knew he was leaving and therefore didn't care to do much for us here.
In the end though, like your new superintendent, we are happy to see him leave. Best of luck to you and your district. We hope that things work out better for you in Gloucester City than it did for us in Mt. Holly.
An Insider
Posted by: | December 13, 2007 at 11:33 AM
Agreed!
Posted by: Orsino | December 12, 2007 at 03:44 PM